Titus Young making 'big plays' for Detroit Lions this offseason

View full sizeAP File PhotoDetroit Lions receiver Titus Young's has consistently made big plays for his team this offseason, especially during minicamp.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young has done what few players can during an offseason workout.

Find a way to stand out.

It is hard for players to look impressive when hitting is not involved. Players are not in pads, practices are slowed down, and the emphasis is on learning. Essentially, players are thrown batting practice fastballs that are easy to hit.

However, Young knock it out the park consistently during Detroit's mandatory minicamp, which concludes today.

"He's had a good run since he's been back with the team," Lions coach Jim Schwartz. "He's made big plays in just about every practice. He's worked hard, he's been a good teammate, and he's probably looked the best that I've ever seen him look in this couple of weeks span.

"We just need to keep him on that track, because he's been outstanding the last couple weeks. You weren't seeing ghosts out there. You were seeing the same things that we've been seeing."

Young's improvement during voluntary workouts, coupled with this week's mandatory minicamp, has been noticeable.

During seven-on-seven drills during Wednesday's practice, Young lined up outside to Matthew Stafford's right and was covered by starting cornerback Chris Houston. After the snap, Young ran a fly route and caught a 45-yard bomb over the shoulder despite being blanketed by Houston.

Young has also enjoyed success against most of Detroit's secondary, although hitting is not allowed.

"First and foremost, I believe it's because of God," Young said. "God is continuing to provide. There's nothing different. God has always been there and been my provider on the football field, but I feel like he's just working in me even more on the football field, and he's bought things in my life to put things into perspective about the gift he's given me."

Young could become a multidimensional gift for Schwartz this season.

While Young has been impressive at receiver, he also is auditioning to become Detroit's kick returner. It is unknown if Detroit will utilize Young's speed and elusiveness on special teams, but Schwartz is considering it.

"Yet to be seen," Schwartz said. "He can do it. He's a good player with the football in his hands, and he's got good hands back there, but we'll see. We have a lot of good guys that will be in the mix, including a veteran player like Stefan Logan, who's made a lot of good plays for us. It'll shape out over the course of training camp and preseason games."

Despite Detroit's addition of receiver Ryan Broyles in this year's draft, Young is not ready to let anybody take away his playing time.

"Competition, that's number one," Young said. "That's why I'm here right now because that's what brings out the best in me."

Young had 48 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie last year, but his offseason performance has shown the best is yet to come for Detroit's second-year receiver.

"I've just been following after this guy (Calvin Johnson) right here," Young said while pointing at his teammate. "Just stealing all the knowledge I can get from him and Nate (Burleson). Even the younger guys bring that little kid joy.

"When a kid is so interested in learning, it motivates you. I feel like kids motivate this world, and I feel like bringing in the rookie receivers motivates the older guys to try to give them an example of what our (receivers) coach, Shawn Jefferson, expects out of us, which is a lot."